The delivery of Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshokv will be delayed by a few months, Indian Navy's public relations officer Captain Vinay Garg said in New Delhi on Friday.
Russia was expected to hand over the ship to the Indian Navy by August 2008. However, the ship will now be delivered to India some time in 2009.
Defence minister A K Anothony had earlier admitted that certain unforeseen problems could delay Admiral Gorshokv's delivery, but refused to elaborate on these problems.
"As per the agreement between India and Russia, the ship was to be refubrished and upgraded. It will be fitted with a brand new deck for the aircraft to land and take off," said Garg.
According to information available to rediff.com, the delivery of the ship was delayed after the Russian authorities discovered that the ship needed major repair work.
The Russian authorities then informed India's Defence Ministry that the delivery of the aircraft carrier will be delayed.
An apex level committee headed by the defence secretary and a steering committee under a vice admiral has been set up to supervise the repair work and re-equipping of the aircraft carrier, said Anthony.
